100 Years of Wristwatches

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 19, 2000

LOT 164

Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 863473, case No. 636428, Ref. 1518, sold to King Farouk.Very fine and important astronomic, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with square buttonchronograph, register and tachometer, perpetual calendar and moon phases. Accompanied by an 18Kyellow gold Patek Philippe articulated and linked bracelet. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives

CHF 180,000 - 220,000

USD 100,000 - 130,000

Sold: CHF 251,000

C. three-body, solid, polished, concave bezel and lugs, case back engraved with a crown and the initial 'F'.D. matte silver with applied gold Arabic numerals and round indexes, auxiliary seconds and 30 minutes registerdials, graduation for the days of the month, outer tachometer graduation, apertures for the days of the week, themonths and the moon phases. 'Feuille' yellow gold hands. M. 13''' rhodium plated, 'fausses côtes' decoration,23 jewels, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, 8 adjustments, Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator.Dial, case, and movement signed.Diam. 35 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Ref. 1518Produced in 281 examples from 1941 to 1954, in yellow gold, in pink gold, and only three examples known to date instainless steel.- First series with applied gold Arabic numerals from 1941 to 1954.- Second series presented at the Basel Fair in 1942 with enameled hour indexes, the 12 in applied gold Arabicnumerals.- Third series with applied gold indexes, the 12 in applied gold Arabic numerals.- Fourth series with applied gold 'Bâton' indexes.A similar watch is published in 'Patek Philippe Genève, Wristwatches', by MARTIN HUBER and ALAN BANBERY,1998, Patek Philippe S.A., p. 303.King Farouk I (1920-1965), King of EgyptBorn in Cairo in 1920, Farouk was the son and successor of King Fouad. Farouk was still under age, and accordinglya regency council was formed of Prince Mohammad Ali, Aziz Ezzat Pasha and Sherif Sabry Pasha to run the sceneuntil his constitutional powers were completely handed over to him in July 1937. His reign lasted 15 years but in July1952, under the pressure of the army's revolution led by Mohammad Nagib (1901-1984), King Farouk was forced toabdicate the throne to his son Ahmad Fouad II who was a child then (born 1952). The abdication document wassigned in Ras El Teen Palace on July 26, 1952, and Farouk left Egypt for Europe. The Republic was declared in Egypton June 18, 1953. King Farouk died in Rome in 1965 and was buried in Egypt in El Refai mosque.In exile in Europe, Farouk was a well-known figure in all the most fashionable places. He had also become a firmlyestablished collector, particularly of small, applied arts objects. Among his extensive collection of objects of vertu,including several Fabergé creations, was a range of watches, primarily enameled examples, from 1780 to 1820, withmusic, with automata and sometimes with erotic scenes. He also favored watches made for the Turkish or FarEastern markets and was fond of modern watches, whether pocket or wristwatches, by the most prestigious makers.Whenever he had to present a gift, it would often be a watch.